Protective apparatus



Fell 11 1936- o. c. TRAVER l-:T A1.. 2,030,665

PRoTETIVE APPARATUS Fle'd April 26, 1934 A f olsrinclc: D b9 7'/ Thei Attorney.

latented` Fel). 1v1, 19u36v I.

UNITED STATES PT ENT GFFICE PROTECTIVE APPARATUS oliver c. frraver, Drexel Hill, and charles a.

Mason, Media, Pa., assignor's to General Electric Company, a. corporation of New York Application April 26, 1934', Serial No. 722,516

1sv claims. (ol. lis-494) Our invention relates to improvements in prothree-phase circuit having phase conductors III, tective apparatus forr electric systemsA and more II and I2. This circuit is arranged to be conparticularly to protective apparatus'wherein4 setrolled by suitable circuit interrupting means` lective action is obtained on a graduatedl time such as a-circuit breaker I3 of the latched closed basis dependent on the position of a fault and type, the opening of which can be effected by an object of our invention is to provide improved the energization of the trip coil I4 from a suitfault responsive protective apparatus whereby to able source, such as a battery I5. The circuit prevent operation during conditions whichv prebreaker I3 may also be provided with auxiliary sent many of the characteristics of faults but switches I6 and I'I, which are closed when the L0 which actually are not, as for example high curcircuitbre'aker is closed, for interrupting certain lo rent and low voltage during power swings Yfolcontrol circuits as Will hereinafter appear. While lowing a shock to the system to be protected. A there is shown only a portion of the three-phase shock to an electric syst-em is, in-general, an circuit, it will be understood that this may form abrupt change such as may be caused by faults, a part ofan electric system. Also the circuit may z switching operations or sudden changes in load. be divided into sections by circuit breakers lo- 15 When, for example, directional-distance relays cated at certain points, such as generating staare employed on electric systems for protective tions, sub-stations, etc., as is well known tothe purposes, certain conditionsfollowing shocks may art. affect the relays the same as faults. During a For controlling the circuit breaker I3 on the o fault the current, voltage and power factor conoccurrence of a fault, such for example as a short 20 ditions initially are such as'to cause the correct circuit between any two of the phase conductors operation of the relay because the relay is so de- I0, II and I2, there is illustrated a stepped time signed. By virtue of this fact, however, the occharacteristic directional-distance relay which is currence of such'conditions accompanying power in general of the type disclosed in U. S. Letters 55 oscillations or swings, such as may follow a dis- Patent 1,919,969, issued July 25, 1933. This relay 25 turbance on a transmission line, for example the comprises a plurality of cooperating means or clearing of a fault or the switchingin or out of a units which include a timing means I8, an ohmic large quantity of power, affects the relay much means such as an ohmmeter IB operable in acthe same as a fault. Consequently, false relay cordance with an ohmic characteristic of the cir- ;0 operation may occur. There is, however, the discuit I0, II and I2 and a starting means 20 also 30 tinction that the current, voltage and power fac-` operable in accordance with an. ohmic charactertor conditions which exist after a. fault and which istic of the circuit and means controlled concan cause relay operation do -notfoccur'until after jointly by the timing, ohmic and starting means a longer time in case of power swings. AIn' acfor effecting the opening of the circuit breaker I3 g5 cordance with our invention, we provide means in different definite times dependent on the loca- 35 suchthat if the conditions to which the relay is tion of the fault. designed to respond appear initially, the relay The timing means I8 may be of any suitable characteristic will be altered to provide first type and is preferably such as to require the minigreater sensitivity to operation throughout the mum attention necessary to certainty of opera- ,0 remainder of the fault and then decreased sention. To this end the energization of the timing 40 sitivity. means is automatically controlled. Also the Our invention will be better understood from timing means is preferably of a substantially conthe following description when considered in stant speed type in order to obtain definite times. connection with the accompanying drawingand As shown, the timing means. I8 is of the escape- ,5 its scope will be pointed out in the appended ment type and includes a controlling member 2| 45 claims. which is secured to a shaft 22 and which is mov- In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates able'to a plurality of contact controlling positions. schematically, partly in diagram and partlyI in The shaft 22 is interconnected with a suitable perspective, protective apparatus embodying our actuating mechanism, which includes a shaft 23,

,0 invention, Fig. 2 shows a modification of a part through suitable energy storing means such as 50 of the embodiment of our invention shown in a spring 24 whose ends are secured respectively Figi. 1, and Fig. 3 is a time-distance characteristic to the shaft 22 and to a crank 25 rigidly mounted diagram explanatory of our invention. on the shaft 2,3. The shaft 22 is also intercon- In Fig. 1, there is illustrated anembodiment of nected with an escapement mechanism 26 through our invention as applied to the protection of a a pawl 2'I and a ratchet 28 in order to insure a 55 quick return of the movable member 2| independently of the escapement mechanism. The ratchet 28 is secured to the shaft 22 so as torotate therewith and engages the pawl 21 which is carried by a gear 29 loosely mounted'on the shaft 22 and engaging the pinion 30 of the escapement mechanism 26.

In order to wind or store energy in the spring 24, there is provided an electromagnetic motor mechanism 3| which, when energized, overcomes the bias of a return spring 32 and through the rack 33 and the pinion 34 turns the crank 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow 35. As the energy thus quickly stored in the spring 24 is slowly dissipated by reason of the escapement mechanism 26. the member 2| is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 36. For the desired contact controlling operation, the path of movement of the member 2| includes a contact 31 and a pair of cooperating contacts 38 which are adjustably positioned on a suitably graduated time scale 39 as shown. The contact 31 may be of the passing type -as shown argl in accordance with our invention the contacts 38, which are normally open, are so positioned relatively to the contact 31 that the contacts 38 are caused to engage each other by the movement of the controlling member 2| substantially immediately after this member disengages the contact 31. Also in accordance with our invention the timing means includes a contact controlling means 9 whose contacts are normally closed, that is to say when the motor mechanism 3| is deenergized. These contacts, however, are immediately opened when the motor mechanism 3| is energized. When the electro-magnetic motor means 3| is deenergized, the crank 25 under the bias of the spring 32 is quickly turned in a direction opposite that indicated by the arrow 35. In this direction of movement the crank 25 engages an arm 40 on the shaft 22 and, since this shaft can turn in such direction independently of the escapement 26, the member 2| is quickly returned to its initial position and the contact controlling means 9 closes its contacts. The return motion is limited by the travel of the rack 33 or the plunger of the electromagnet 3| coupled thereto.

The ohmic unit or ohmmeter I9 may be of any suitable type, the one chosen for illustration being of the induction disk type. As shown, it includes a movable member such as the slotted disk 4| which is constructed and arranged to take a position dependent on an ohmic characteristic, such as the impedance, resistance or reactance ofthe circuit l0, l2 or a portion thereof. In certain applications of our invention it may be preferable to use the reactance of the circuit. For this purpose there may be provided, as shown, two cooperating electromagnetic motor elements 42 and 43 which are respectively directional and nondirectional and whose torques are respectively proportional to EI sin .p and I2, E and I respectively being the voltage of the circuit and the current in a phase conductor of the circuit and fp the phase angle between them. When these torques are opposed, the disk 4|, because of its slotting, comes to a position of equilibrium. The deflection of the disk, that is its movement from an initial position, is, therefore, proportional to I-sin zsin X,

Z and X being respectively the impedance and reactance of the part of the circuit in question. Associated with the disk 4| so as to be movable therewith is a controlling member 44 in the path of movement of which one or more contacts 45 and 46 are arranged. These may be adjustably positioned on a suitably graduated ohmic or distance scale 41 as shown. Permanent drag magnets, not shown, may be employed to steady the disk 4|.

The motor element 42 is of the wattmetric type and includes cooperating current and voltage windings 48 and 49 respectively which are respectively connected to be energized in accordance with the current in the phase conductor I and the voltage between the phase conductors I0 and I by suitable means such as a current transformer 50 and a potential transformer 5|. In order to obtain the desired phase relation between the currents in the windings 48 and 49, suitable phase displacing means, such as the condenser 52 is provided. A variable resistance 53 connected in series with the voltage winding 49 may be employed to adjust the `torque of the wattmetric element 42.

The motor element 43 may be of the shaded pole non-directional type, as shown. Its main winding 54 is connected to be energized in accordance with the current in the phase conductor IU. The torque exerted by this current element is in the direction indicated by the arrow 55 and under predetermined circuit conditions is opposed by the torque of the element 42. The nature of the protection desired will, of course, govern but the torques of the elements 42 and 43 may be opposed when, with power factor leading, the power is in one direction and with the power factor lagging the power is in the reverse direction.

In order to obtain quick operation during faults, the ohmmeter vI9 is so controlled that its contact controlling member 44 is normally maintained in the position of minimum ohms where it is held by the torque of the currentl operated element 43 with the member 44 engaging the contact 45. For this purpose the motor element 42 is rendered normally inoperative in any suitable manner, for example by short-circuiting its high impedance voltage Winding through contacts 56 controlled by the starting unit 20. This also eliminates unnecessary heating of the voltage winding besides reducing the normal burden of the potential transformer 5|.

The starting unit 2l) may be of any suitable type, the one chosen for illustration being of the induction disk type. As shown, it includes a movable member such as a disk 51 which is constructed and arranged to take a controlling position dependent on an ohmic characteristic of the circuit I0, |2 or a portion thereof, such as the impedance or a component of the impedance in the direction of the resistance or reactance axis or some axis at an angle a to the resistance axis. In some applications it may be preferable to use the impedance component at the angle a. For this purpose there may be provided, as shown, two cooperating electromagnetic motor elements 58 and 59 which are respectively directional and non-directional and whose torques are respectively proportional to EI cos (cr-qb) and E2, E and I respectively being the voltage of the circuit and the current in a phase conductor of the circuit, fp the phase angle between them and a an angle whose value is determined in accordance with the particular opera.- tion desired. Associated with the disk 51 so as to be movable therewith is a controlling member 60 in the path of movement of which are arranged the contacts 56 and also contacts 6|. Permanent drag magnets, not show-n,A maybe used to steady the disk 51. In order to prevent unnecessary tripping, the member' 6.0' may beb'iase'd away from contacts. 6I by'a light spring 8.

The restraining motor element@ 59 is'- ot' the connected to be energized in accordance with the current in phase conductor I'II- and the voltage between the phase conductors I0` and II. In order to obtain the desired phase relation between the currents and the windings suitable phase displacing means, such as a' resistance 65 in parallel with the current winding 63, may be provided.

In order to obtain a high degree of sensitivity of the starting unit. particularly on low impedance faults, there may be connected in series with the voltage winding 64a condenser 66 forming therewith a series resonant circuit at the operating frequency of the circuit I 0,. II, I2.V Further in order to control the sensitivity in accordance with predetermined conditions, there is provided suitable con-trol means such as a glow discharge valve 61. This device is such that at normal voltage it breaks down the bypass of the condenser 61 whereby the resonant feature is eliminated.

Incase of a fault, such as a short circuit tween two phase conductors, there is initially v little or no arc at the point of fault. The power factor of the fault current is then determined solely by the system impedance which is usually highly inductive. However, an arm may develop and rapidly extend. If it does, the resistance component of the total apparent impedance and the current low.

In accordance with our invention, We provide means for causing the relay to distinguish between power swings and faults whereby, after the initial starting indication and until the expiration of the maximum fault duration to be expected, the starting unit is made more sensitive to arc lengthening. This increased sensitivity may be obtained by increasing the input to the starting unit or changing the angle of maximum torque, or both. Thus, if it be assumed that the directional element 58 of the starting unit 20 has its maximum torque at some predetermined angle between the current and the voltage energizing the windings 63 and 64 respectively, then this angle of maximum torque can be varied to alter the torque, for example, by connecting in circuit with the potential winding 64 suitable phase displacing means such as a resistance 68 which is under the control of the contacts 9 and 38. The control of these contacts is such that the circuit containing the resistance 68 is quickly opened by the contact 9 to provide, under the angular relations existing during a fault which includes an extending arc, increased torque in the starting unit until the ohm unit has had time to determine whether the fault is beyond its operating range, for example beyond the distance AD shown in Fig. 3. Immediately following the expiration of this time t the contacts 38 are closed to connect the resistance 68 in parallel with the potential coil 64 whereby to desensitize the starting unit. The starting unit may then reset and be in condition to respond to faults but not to swings because of the high power factor and low current therein involved.

Instead of varying the sensitivity by the arrangement as shown in Fig. 1, we may arrange the glow tube 61 in series with the leads 84 and 85 to the contacts 9 and 38, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, with either of these contacts closed, the glow tube 61 is operative to detune the circuit of the potential winding 64 if the voltage across the condenser 66 is high enough to discharge the glow tube. Either the opening of the contacts 9 or a drop in potential allows the circuit of the winding 64 and the condenser 66 to resonate. This, in effect, increases the voltage applied to the winding 64 and also changes its phase angle, although an arrangement which does either of these alone falls within the intent of our invention.

With power iiow in the circuit I0, II, I2 in a given direction, for example toward the station bus where the relay is located, the torques of the motor elements 58 and 59 are cumulative and tend to maintain the contacts 56 closed. Upon the occurence of a fault anywhere between A and some point to the right of A and with power flow away from the bus, the torques are opposed. 'I'he torque of the power directional element 58 then predominates and the contacts 56 are opened and the contacts 6I closed. This renders the ohnmeter I9 operative by removing the short circuit from the potential Winding 49. The closing of the contacts 6I completes the circuit of the motor mechanism 3| of the timing means I8 from one side of the battery I5 to theother as follows: The conductor 69, the contacts 6I, the conducto-r 10, the winding of the mechanism 3I, the conductor 1I and the circuit breaker auxiliary switch I1 thereby starting the timing means which opens its contacts 9 to render the starting unit more sensitive.

It will irst be assiuned that the fault is within the range of the minimum ohm setting of the I ohmmeter I9 or somewhere between, the circuit breaker location A and a point B to the left of the station C, see Fig. 3. Under these conditions the controlling member 44 of the ohmmeter engages the contact 45 and the circuit breaker I3 is tripped in the minimum time t, that is the time it takes the starting means 20 to operate. 'Ihe circuit of an auxiliary tripping relay 14 is completed from one side of the battery I5 to the other as follows: 'Ihe conductor 69, the contacts BI, the conductor 12, the controlling member 44, the contact 45, the` conductor 13, the contacts 19 of a transfer relay 80, the Winding of the auxiliary tripping relay 14, the current limiting resistance 6 and the circuit breaker auxiliary switch I1. The auxiliary relay 14 upon energization closes its contacts 16 in the circuit of the trip coil I4 and insures positive tripping of the circuit breaker without any danger from fluttering of the contacts of the distance relay.

It will now be assumed that the fault is Within. the range of a higher ohm setting of the ohmmeter I9 or somewhere between B and a point D. Under these conditions the controlling member 44 of the ohmmeter I9 quickly takes a position intermediate the contacts 45 and as while the contact member 60 is moving from the contacts 56 to the contacts 6 I. After a predetermined definite time, t', however, the contact controlling member 2 I of the timing means I8 engages the contact 31. 'I'his completes the circuit of the auxiliary tripping relay 14 from one side of the battery I5 to the other as follows: the conductor S9, the contacts 6I, the conductor 10, the controlling member 2 I, the contact 31, the conductor 18, the contacts 19 of the transfer relay 80, the winding of the tripping relay 14, the resistor 6 and the circuit breaker auxiliary switch I1. As before, the auxiliary tripping relay 14 upon energization seals itself in through its contacts 16 and effects the energization of the trip coil I4.

It will now be assumed that the fault is within the range of a still higher ohm setting of the ohmmeter I9 or somewhere to the right of D, see Fig. 3. Under these conditions, the controlling me-mber 44 of the ohmmeter engages the. contact 46 thereby completing the circuit of the winding of the transfer relay B from one side of the battery I to the other as follows: The conductor 69, the contacts 6I, the conductor 12, the controlling member 44, the contact 46, the conductor 8|, the winding of the transfer relay BI), the resistance 6 and the circuit breaker auxiliary switch I1. Upon energization, the transfer relay 80 seals itself in through its contacts 82 which are in series with the contacts 6I. Inasmuch as the transfer relay contacts 19 which are in the circuit of the tripping relay 14 are now open and will remain open as long as the contacts 6I are closed, the auxiliary tripping relay 14 cannot be energized to effect the tripping of the circuit breaker. Thus, for faults to the right of the point D, no tripping will occur.

If, however, the contact controlling member 44 of the ohmmeter I9 indicates back-up ohms, that is beyond D, by engaging the contact 46 and, because of a swing initiated by the fault, the starting unit has not reset so as to open its contacts 6I, then the'circuit controlling member 2| goes past the contact 31 to engage and close the contacts 38. This completes the circuit of the resistance 68 thus desensitizing the starting unit 20 which, except in case of an exceptionally severe swing or an immediately following fault or a sustained fault, opens its contacts 6I and closes its contacts 55, thereby deenergizing the ohm unit I9 and the timing unit IB. In the exceptions noted tripping is blocked. Due to the free return action of the timing unit, the contact 9 thereof is reclosed before the opening of the contacts 38 which may have an appreciable wipe, thus maintaining the insensitive condition of the starting unit so that, for example swings following the operation of the fault responsive relays which eliminated a faulty portion of the system do not cause operation but faults can.

In the illustrated embodiment of our invention We have, for the sake ofy simplicity, shown but one distance relay for one phase of the system. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that similar relays will be provided for the other phases of the system.

While we have shown and described our invention in considerable detail, we do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangements shown but seek to cover by the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim ,as new and desire to secure by` Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive graded time action relay connected to be energized from said circuit and means operative substantially immediately in response to a fault for varying the initial sensitivity of said relay and for restoring the initial sensitivity after the lapse of one of the graded times of operation thereof.

2. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive graded time action relay connected to be energzed from said circuit, means operative substantially immediately in response to a fault for increasing the initial sensitivity of said relay and means for restoring the initial sensitivity of the relay at the end of one of the graded times of operation thereof.

3. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive graded time action relay connected to be energized from said circuit and including a timing element operative substantially irrimediately on the occurrence of a fault to vary the in- .itial sensitivity of said relay and means for restoring the initial sensitivity of said relay after the lapse of one of the graded times of operation thereof.

4. In combination, an electric circuit, a stepped time action directional distance relay connected to be energized from said circuit and including a timing element operative substantially immediately on the occurrence of a fault to increase the initial sensitivity of said relay and means for restoring the sensitivity of said relay after the lapse of the maximum time of operation of the relay.

5. In combination, an electric circuit, a stepped time action directional distance relay connected to be energized from said circuit and including a timing means operative substantially immediately on the occurrence of a fault for increasing the initial sensitivity of said relay and for restoring the initial sensitivity of the relay after the maximum time of operation thereof.

6. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive stepped time action directional distance relay comprising a timing unit and a starting unit and means actuated by the timing unit substantially immediately on the occurrence of a fault for increasing the initial sensitivity of the starting unit and for restoring the initial sensitivity after the timing unit has operated a predetermined time.

7. In combination, .an electric circuit, a fault responsive stepped time action directional distance relay comprising a timing unit, an ohm unit and a. starting unit and means for increasing the sensitivity of the starting unit immediately following the operation thereof and means for restoring the initial sensitivity of the relay after the timing unit has operated a predetermined time.

8. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit subject to faults and power swings, fault responsive relay means connected to be energized from said circuit for controlling the circuit on the occurrence of faults, and means dependent on the difference in time required by power swings and faults to reach the electrical conditions of the circuit necessary to operate the relay means for causing said relay means to istinguish between power swings and faults.

9. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit subject to faults and power swings, fault responsive r elay means connected to be energized from said circuit for controlling the circuit on the occurrence of faults, and means controlled by said relay means operative in accordance with the difference in time required by power swings and faults to reach the electrical conditions of the circuit necessary to operate the relay means for permitting operation of said relay means during faults and preventing operation on power swings.

10. In combination, an electric circuit and a fault responsive graded time action distance relay comprising a starting unit and timing means controlled by the starting unit operative substantially immediately on the occurrence of a fault for increasing the sensitivity thereof.

11. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive stepped time action directional distance relay comprising a timing unit and a starting unit and means for varying the angle of maximum torque of the starting unit after the timing unit has operated a predetermined time.

12. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive stepped time action directional distance relay comprising a timing unit and a starting unit. and means controlled by they starting unit for decreasing the angle of maximum torque thereof immediately following the operation of the starting unit.

13. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive graded time action distance relay comprising a starting unit and means controlled by the starting unit for varying the angle of maximum torque thereof.

14. In combination, an electric circuit, a fault responsive stepped time action directional distance relay comprising a time unit and a starting unit and means for increasing the angle of maximum torque of the starting unit after the timing unit has operated a predetermined time.

15. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit and a fault responsive graded time action distance relay comprising a starting unit, a timing unit, a rst means controlled by said timing unit operative in one po-sition to establish a predetermined initial sensitivity of the starting unit and to another position to change the sensitivity of the starting unit upon operation thereof, and another contact means controlled by the timing unit operative at the expiration of one of the graded times of thel relay to restore and to maintain the initial sensitivity of the relay until said first means is returned to its said one position.

16. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit and a fault responsive graded time action distance relay comprising a starting unit, a timing unit controlled thereby, a first ccntact means controlled by said timing unit operative in one position to establish a predetermined initial sensitivity of the starting unit and to another position to increase the sensitivity of the starting unit upon operation thereof, and another contact means controlled by the timing unit operative at the expiration of the maximum of the graded times of the relay to restore and to maintain the initial sensitivity of the relay until said first contact means is returned to its said one position.

1'7. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit and fault responsive distance relay means including a starting unit, and means for causing said relay to distinguish between power faults and swings including means operative from the initial operation of the starting unit and until the expiration of the expected maximum fault duration for rendering the starting unit more sensitive.

18. In combination, an alternating current electric circuit and a fault responsive graded time action distance relay comprising a starting unit having an initial sensitivity greater than the maximum expected energy oscillation of the circuit and less than the expected fault value of energy, means for increasing the initial sensitivity of the starting unit substantially immediately upon the occurrence of conditions causing the operation of said starting unit to maintain said starting unit in operated position under fault conditions for a predetermined time, and means for subsequently restoring said initial sensitivity.

OLIVER C. TRAVER. CHARLES R. MASON. 

